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> **Documentation Index:** Fetch the complete configuration index at https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/llms.txt


# Computer security

You can protect your computer from most internet threats by following simple safety rules.


{% cut "**Update your operating system**" %}


Higher versions of an operating system are more securely protected (for example, Windows 10 is safer than Windows 8.1).

Enable automatic updates:


{% list tabs %}

- Windows 10

  
  Automatic updates are always enabled.
  
  To check for updates and set the update time:
  
  1. Click **Start** → **Settings**.
  1. Go to **Main page** → **Update & Security** → **Windows Update**.
  

- Windows 8.1

  
  1. Hover over the lower-right corner of the screen and then move up.
  1. Select **Settings** → **Change PC settings** → **Update and recovery** → **Windows Update**.
  1. Click **Choose how updates get installed**.
  1. Under **Important updates**, enable the **Install updates automatically (recommended)** option.
  

- Windows 7

  
  1. Click **Start** → **Control Panel**.
  1. Select **Windows Update**.
  1. On the left, open **Change settings**.
  1. Under **Important updates**, enable the **Install updates automatically (recommended)** option.
  

- macOS

  
  1. In the menu, select **Apple** → **System Preferences** → **Software Update**.
  1. Enable **Automatically keep my Mac up to date**.
  
  If there is no **Software Update** item in your macOS system settings, use the App Store to get updates.

{% endlist %}


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Configure browser auto-update**" %}


Most browsers (for example, [Yandex Browser](https://browser.yandex.com/)) are updated automatically. If this doesn't happen, download the latest version on the official site and install it. Check whether auto-update is enabled in the settings.


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Clear the device's memory**" %}


It's a good idea to clean up your system from time to time by clearing the cache or deleting duplicate photos and videos. 

Free utilities:

- [Advanced SystemCare](https://www.iobitsoftware.com/asc.php)
- [BoostSpeed](https://www.auslogics.com)
- [Clean Master](https://www.cleanmasterofficial.com/en-us/)
- [Glary Utilities](https://www.glarysoft.com/glary-utilities/)


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Install an antivirus**" %}


You can install an antivirus such as [Kaspersky](https://usa.kaspersky.com/home-security) or [Dr.WEB](https://products.drweb.com/home/?lng=en).

Or you can use a [free antivirus](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/antiviruses-free.md).


Reports from [AV-Comparatives](http://www.av-comparatives.org/) consistently name [Kaspersky](https://usa.kaspersky.com/home-security), [AVG AntiVirus FREE](https://www.avg.com/en-us/homepage#pc), and [K7 Total Security](https://www.k7computing.com/us/) as some of the best antiviruses.

Some of these antiviruses are [free](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/antiviruses-free.md).

{% note info %}

If the device is connected to the internet, antiviruses are updated automatically.

{% endnote %}



{% endcut %}

{% cut "**To turn on the firewall**" %}


A firewall protects your device from unauthorized access. It filters internet traffic according to the rules you set. For example, you can prohibit [backdoor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdoor_(computing)) access.

To turn on the firewall:


{% list tabs %}

- Windows 10

  
  1. Click **Start** → **Settings**.
  1. Go to **Main page** → **Update & Security** → **Windows Security** → **Firewall & network protection**.
  1. Enable Microsoft Defender Firewall for the private, public, and domain network.
  

- Windows 8.1

  
  1. Hover over the lower-right corner of the screen and then move up.
  1. Go to **Settings** → **Change PC settings** → **Control Panel**.
  1. Click **System and Security** → **Windows Firewall**.
  1. In the left menu, open **Turn Windows Firewall on or off**.
  1. Turn on the firewall for all networks: private and public ones.
  

- Windows 7

  
  1. Click **Start** → **Control Panel**.
  1. Select **Windows Firewall** (or **System and Security** → **Windows Firewall**).
  1. In the left menu, open **Turn Windows Firewall on or off**.
  1. Turn on the firewall for all networks: private and public ones.
  

- macOS

  
  1. In the menu, select **Apple** → **System Preferences**.
  1. Click **Privacy** (or **Security & Privacy**).
  1. Go to the **Firewall** tab.
  1. Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter the administrator's name and password.
  1. Click **Turn On Firewall** or **Start**.
      
      To configure firewall settings, go to **Firewall Options...**

{% endlist %}


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Use Windows accounts**" %}



{% note info %}

If multiple users share your computer, use a different [browser profile](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/profile.md) for each individual user.

{% endnote %}


Use an account with restricted access. It's safer: a virus can't infect the system even if it accesses user data. Protect the administrator account with a password and only use it when administrator rights are required.


{% list tabs %}

- Windows 10

  
  By default, the user doesn't have administrator rights.
  
  
  {% cut "**To add a new local user without administrator rights:**" %}
  
  
  1. Click **Start** → **Settings** → **Main page** → **Accounts**.
  1. Go to **Family & other users** (or **Other users**).
  1. Click **Add someone else to this PC**.
  1. Select **I don't have this person's sign-in information**.
  1. Select **Add a user without a Microsoft account**.
  1. Enter the username and password, select security questions, and click **Next**.
  
  
  {% endcut %}
  
  {% cut "**To grant administrator rights to a local user:**" %}
  
  
  1. Click **Start** → **Settings** → **Main page** → **Accounts**.
  1. Go to **Family & other users** (or **Other users**).
  1. Select the user's account and click **Change account type**.
  1. Under **Change account type**, select **Administrator** and click **OK**.
  
  
  {% note info %}
  
  If you want to make a local user an administrator, select the account that's marked **Local account** and doesn't have an email specified. Otherwise, administrator rights will be granted to the Microsoft account instead of the computer user.
  
  {% endnote %}
  
  
  
  {% endcut %}
  
  

- Windows 8.1

  
  By default, the administrator account is disabled for security reasons.
  
  How to enable it:
  
  1. On the desktop or the left pane in File Explorer, right-click **Computer** (**This PC**) and select **Computer Management** in the context menu.
  1. In the management console that opens, expand the **System Tools** → **Local Users and Groups** items on the left.
  1. Select **Users**.
  1. Right-click **Administrator** on the right and select **Properties** in the context menu.
  1. Deselect **Account is disabled** and click **OK**.
  
  Remember to set a password for the administrator.
  

- Windows 7

  
  By default, the administrator account is disabled for security reasons.
  
  How to enable it:
  
  1. On the desktop or the left pane in File Explorer, right-click **Computer** and select **Computer Management** in the context menu.
  1. In the management console that opens, expand the **System Tools** → **Local Users and Groups** items on the left.
  1. Select **Users**.
  1. Right-click **Administrator** on the right and select **Properties** in the context menu.
  1. Deselect **Account is disabled** and click **OK**.
  
  Remember to set a password for the administrator.
  
  If multiple users share your computer or you have multiple accounts, create a [personal browser profile](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/profile.md) for each of them.

{% endlist %}


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Store your data securely**" %}


[Use cloud storage](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/cloud.md)

[Synchronize your data](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/sync.md)


{% cut "**Save copies**" %}


If you don't trust third-party resources, regularly save copies of your files on external disks, flash drives, CDs, or DVDs.


{% endcut %}



{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Avoid public Wi-Fi networks**" %}


As a rule, public Wi-Fi access points (for example, at an airport or a cafe) don't use encryption. Anyone sitting next to you with a laptop or smartphone can intercept or substitute your personal data and read your correspondence.

Don't enter your personal data, card numbers, phone numbers, and other important information when using a public Wi-Fi network. It's not safe.

Use a VPN connection in public places: it encrypts your personal details and makes data interception pointless.

Make sure you're connected to an official public network rather than its twin created by hackers. For example, they can set up a network with a name similar to the name of a restaurant and take advantage if you're careless.


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Protect your passwords**" %}


To learn more, see [Password protection](https://yandex.uz/support/common/en/security/passwords-security.md).


{% endcut %}

{% cut "**Use licensed software**" %}


Download software only from official websites. Don't use pirated software. Launching pirated programs is risky because attackers infect installation files with viruses.


{% endcut %}